Coming across a hidden problem in an excluded population in Sweden: professionals’ experiences of young migrants’ disclosures of sexual violence

No evidence, no problem? A critical interpretive synthesis of the vulnerabilities to and experiences of sexual violence among young migrants in Europe

“…It is also increasingly evident that young migrants are vulnerable to sexual violence at all stages of migration [ 29 , 30 ] and that there are multiple sources of vulnerabilities at every level of the socioecological model. In line with previous research, this review points to the critical role of structural factors contributing to the vulnerabilities of young migrants to sexual violence [ 6 , 29 ]. These structural factors can facilitate access to safe and appropriate accommodations and mitigate the effects of economic hardship and enable access to trustworthy adults.…”

“…The above mentioned consequences highlight the need for services for young migrants exposed to sexual violence. This includes SRHR and emergency services especially for newly arrived irregular migrants [ 21 ], while Belanteri et al [ 25 ] called more generally for physical and mental healthcare services, many of which are often not available or accessible for migrants in their host countries, depending on their legal status [ 6 ]. Digidika and Bhabha [ 23 ] raise the need for properly trained trauma personnel in migrant camps.…”

“…This is problematic as there is evidence that certain groups of young migrants may be even more vulnerable to sexual violence, such as LGBTQ+ migrants [ 3 , 16 , 19 ]. There is also some evidence that different groups of young migrants may be more vulnerable to certain forms of sexual violence; for example, young male migrants may be more vulnerable to sexual exploitation to meet basic needs while young female migrants may be more vulnerable to intimate partner violence [ 6 ]. There are also indications that sexual violence perpetrated against male migrants tends to be more physically violent than that against female migrants [ 3 ].…”

“…Young migrants face a double-burden of vulnerabilities to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) violations due to both age and migrant status. These vulnerabilities are compounded by factors such as limited or absent social and family networks, unstable living situations and difficulties in comprehending the local language and cultural context [ 6 ]. These and other factors not only make young migrants more accessible targets for potential perpetrators but also result in that they make less reliable risk assessments.…”

“…These and other factors not only make young migrants more accessible targets for potential perpetrators but also result in that they make less reliable risk assessments. There is some evidence that young migrants are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence [ 6 , 7 ]. However, not much attention has been given to the issue of sexual violence among young migrants in the European setting.…”